March 9, 2006

Best of Nashua 2006
Readers cast their votes for best in food, art, night life and local personalities
By John “jaQ” Andrews, Heidi Masek & Amy Diaz news@hippopress.com

You cast your votes in this year’s Best of Nashua survey, and we counted every ballot. Now here are the results — the people, places and things that you readers voted for as the best the Gate City has to offer.

Best Live Theater Performance
Cabaret de Boheme, cdb@nhcabaret.com
Cabaret de Boheme has only been around for about two years. The group of rotating performers formed to produce a fundraiser and the “response from the community and the audience was so great we just kept going and kept going,” creator Brandon Mallard said.

“Our cabaret is a little different than typical cabaret,” Mallard said; whereas typical cabaret in Boston or New York could be one or two people with a pianist performing jazz standards and show tunes, Cabaret de Boheme includes choreography and its music ranges from jazz standards and Broadway to bebop, rock and pop. Usually six or seven cast members perform. They work a storyline into their performances and create stage personas.

“Every person who’s ever performed is a professional and award-winning performer from the local or regional area,” Mallard said.

The group is going to perform at Fody’s tavern twice a month, downstairs, starting in April. At the end of each month they will offer a combination dinner show with dancing.

Runner-up: Actorsingers’ Jesus Christ Superstar

Best Politician
Ward 8 Alderman Dave MacLaughlin
“I’m floored,” said Dave MacLaughlin upon learning he’d been voted Nashua’s best politician. For one thing, he represents only one ward, rather than the whole city like an alderman-at-large or the mayor. He’s just started his second two-year term, and he’s only lived in Nashua for six years.

Then again, he said, he regularly gets calls from citizens all around the city, not just Ward 8. His reputation as an environmentalist and fiscal conservative who nevertheless supports many city services has prompted many to bend his ear. His reputation for earnestly listening keeps folks turning to him again and again.

He’s also in the unique position, for a politician, of working in retail. He’s not a businessman or lawyer, so constituents know where to find him — the Men’s Warehouse in South Nashua. He thinks that helps him meet people unaware of his office, too. In the course of fitting someone for a suit, the conversation may drift to local issues. He also makes a point of attending community events and participating in canvasses about land development and community sports.

“If I can help move government in a way that helps a great number of people while making it economical to do so, that’s where I go,” he said.

As a member of UVM’s College Republicans, MacLaughlin was taken under the wing of former Vermont Governor Dick Snelling and received political training in Washington, D.C. in 1986. He spent time as a city councillor in South Burlington, Vt., before moving to Connecticut for a few years. He applied for a job at Macy’s in Nashua on a whim while campaigning for John McCain and stayed when it was offered to him.

In less liberal New Hampshire, he considers himself a swing voter. He was in the majority in a recent 8-7 vote to eliminate funding for an unfilled IT manager position, but said he could’ve changed his mind. It came down to not wanting to be forced to go along with an expenditure just because the process was already underway — in this case, the position was already advertised. He feels similarly about the Broad Street Parkway: he considers it an unneeded project, but the city has already bought land and demolished buildings. Building the road will cost the city about $6 million, but abandoning it will force the city to pay back $14 million to the federal government.

“That should never happen,” he said. “We shouldn’t be in this position.”

He’s already heavily involved in efforts to bring commuter rail to the Granite State — through Nashua, of course, and beginning with his ward on the border with Massachusetts. He also wants to make Nashua the retail capital of New Hampshire and separate Community Development and Economic Development departments in the city. Currently, they’re the same office.

If that sounds like a platform for mayor, MacLaughlin is coy about his intentions in 2007.

“I will be attempting something exciting next time around,” he said with a grin. “Let’s just say, if I feel I have something to offer and no one else is offering it, I’m going for it.”

Runner-up: Mayor Bernie Streeter

Best Bartender
Peggy McFarland, Del Vaudo’s, 112 West Pearl St.
Del Vaudo’s was the runner-up in no less than four categories: best date place, best cocktails, best bar for live music and best restaurant overall. The establishment was saved from a full complement of second- place awards by one person: Peggy McFarland.

She may not be humble, but you don’t succeed in the biz by being shy. She said it’s important to be outgoing and to genuinely like people in her job.

Of course, experience doesn’t hurt either. She learned to bartend while attending Keene State College, ostensibly studying sociology. She even taught at the Boston Bartenders school in the Landmark Building on Main Street in Nashua for a time.

McFarland has spent time on the radio, too — three years as a co-host on the former WHOB, now Frank FM. She kept bartending, though, because that part-time job wouldn’t pay the bills.

When she learned about her award, she did a little celebratory dance behind the bar. She promised not to let it go to her head, though.

“I’ll remember all the little people,” she said.

Runner-up: Scotty, Nashua Garden

Best Chef
Michael Buckley of Michael Timothy’s, 212 Main St., 595-9334
His creations melt in your mouth but Michael Buckley doesn’t rest on his laurels. Reporters frequently have a difficult time getting a hold of him — perhaps that has something to do with his two other restaurants: Surf, 207 Main St., and the recently opened Buckley’s Great Steaks, 438 DW Highway, Merrimack. With dishes as good as those that grace the menus of these eateries (wanna get hungry? Go to www.mtdininggroup.com and drool over the offerings), I guess you can let the top-notch food do the talking.

Runner-Up: Joshua Enright at Seedling Café, 9 Water St., 594-4002

Best Local Band/Performer
Tracilynne
Tracilynne (not to mention her live band American Pride) has been pretty busy since Tracilynne’s CD release party in Manchester this past summer for her album Driven. She’s been making sure people know her name by performing a slew of shows throughout the year. But so have other performers. What makes her a cut above the rest?

“I think I do well connecting with the crowd,” she said. “At least I’ve been told I do a good job at it.”

The ever-so-modest Tracilynne has gone down to Tennessee for radio appearances and performances. Her next local performance is Sunday, April 9, at Hajjars in Weymouth, Mass. She’s headlining the Massachusetts Country Music Awards Association Jam at Hajjars, which goes from 2 to 6 p.m. Find out more about Tracilynne at www.tracilynne.com.

Runner-up: Cabaret de Boheme

The Rest of the best
Food
Best Vegetarian Menu
Seedling Café, 9 Water St., 594-4002
Opened by Chef Joshua Enright and his wife Danielle Enright, who has a fondness for and understanding of organic gardening, Seeding Café concentrates on using its fresh ingredients in innovative ways that highlight the natural flavors of the local produce, artisan breads and other tasty fixings. An example of their approach to the simple lunch wrap: The Judy — honey-roasted turkey, sliced tomatoes, red onions, cheddar cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and fresh avocado spread on a whole wheat tortilla.
Runner-up: Ecos Café, 704 Milford Road #6, Route 101A, Merrimack, 881-9635

Best Subs
Nashua Garden, 121 Main St., 886-7363
Always a treat, Nashua Garden’s subs have baseball names and big flavors. Can’t decide which of the tasty subs to try? Craft your own from their delicious meats and cheeses.
Runner-up: Dannelly’s Subs and Pizza, 87 Allds St., 882-6820

Best Steakhouse
Buckley’s Great Steaks, 438 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, 424-0995
Just open, Buckley’s Great Steaks is already a local favorite. The steak menu features a mouthwatering 32-ounce porterhouse for those looking for the definitive steak experience as well as an eight-ounce filet mignon for those who just want a taste of the top-quality beef. Even if straight-up steak isn’t your thing, the restaurant offers a selection of gourmet comfort food (goat cheese, roasted tomato and herb ravioli; lobster stroganoff) as well as a tasty-sounding selection of sides, appetizers, salads and soup.
Runner-up: Silo’s Steakhouse, 641 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, 429-2210

Best Diner
Jackie’s Diner, 168 Main St., 889-4957
Presidential candidates know it: Jackie’s Diner is the place to be. Several newspapers are always making their rounds freely among the clientele, and the tall front windows provide plenty of reading light. Frequent specials make every visit a new experience. Jackie’s also garnered best breakfast and best grilled cheese honors, as well as second pick for french fries.
Runner-up: Norton’s Classic Café, 233 Main St., 883-4340

Best Neighborhood Market
Jeannotte’s Market, 2 Courtland St., 882-0161
Not your ordinary convenience store, Jeannotte’s goes beyond prepackaged meals and canned soup. Fresh produce and an honest-to-goodness meat counter make it possible to do all your grocery shopping right on the corner. It’s local to Holman Stadium and Broad Street Elementary, so it’s kid-friendly, too.
Runner-up: (Tie) Bright Spot, 43 E. Dunstable Rd., 888-1531, and Sky Market, 383 E. Dunstable Rd., 888-7400

Best Italian Restaurant
Villa Banca, 194 Main St., 598-0500
From the antipasto to the tiramisu, Villa Banca offers a thoroughly satisfying dining experience. The old bank that serves as this eatery’s home provides excellent atmosphere (that combination of a comfortable dining room and romantically dusky lighting that seems to make every meal a romantic one).
Runner-up: Ya Mamma’s, 75 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, 578-9201

Best Ice Cream
Hayward’s Ice Cream Stand, 7 D.W. Highway South.
When Hayward’s opens again for the season, it’s worth paying a visit not just so you can get a scoop of old favorites such as Maine black bear but also to check out the new flavors for this coming year (I seem to remember a Kahlua- based flavor last year). The ice cream is so rich and delicious you’ll almost be too full to finish off the meal with one of those tartly sweet lime rickeys Hayward’s does so well.
Runner-up: Bruster’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream and Yogurt, 621 Amherst St., 881-9595

Best Cheap Eats
Espresso NY Style Pizza, 85 Main St., 889-9826
A mere $1.25 gets you a tasty (and quite large) slice of delicious, thin-crust cheese pizza (a few cents more gets you the topping of your choice). The bargains continue as the meals get bigger and, despite the eye toward low prices, the quality doesn’t decline.
Runner-up: A four-way tie of Pine Street Eatery, 136 Pine St., 886-3501; Roland’s Restaurant, 94 Kinsey St., 882-1441; Chicken N Chips, 12 W. Hollis St., 889-2001; Jackie’s Diner, 168 Main St., 889-4957.

Best Breakfast
Jackie’s Diner, 168 Main St., 889-4957
Omelets for only $5 are just one of the many offerings of Jackie’s. If your breakfast needs are for even heartier fare, check out the many French Canadian dishes including the high-carb poutine (french fries with cheese curds and gravy) or Groton (ground pork, onions and spices). Want something lighter? Have a crepe.
Runner-up: (Tie) Pine Street Eatery, 136 Pine St., 886-3501, and City Room Café, 105 W. Pearl St., 882-5016

Best Seafood
Surf Restaurant, 207 Main St., 595-9293
Other exciting eatery from Michael and Sara Buckley, Surf offers fish for those looking for something beyond fried haddock (though they have that in the form of tempura fish and chips). Dishes such as sesame-seared tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes, codfish cooked in parchment, grilled miso marinated salmon and California fish taco are so good they’ll make you forget you ever heard of a fish stick.
Runner-up: Weathervane, 174 D.W. Highway, 891-1776

Best French Fries
Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535
Is it the deliciously crispy regular potato fries or those fantastic orange sweet potato fries that voters loved so much? Heck, try both. On the other hand, perhaps the real kudos here should go to the Peddler’s Daughter’s homemade ketchup, with has a vinegary finish that makes the fries the main event of any meal.
Runner-up: Jackie’s Diner, 168 Main St., 889-4957.

Best Pizza
Espresso NY Style Pizza, 85 Main St., 889-9826
The crusts are thin, the toppings are liberally applied but not overwhelming, the sauce is tomatoey and slightly sweet — the Espresso slice is a joy on the tongue. (And all that flavor is available for just a dollar and a quarter.) The best place to go when you want to satisfy your desire for an old-school pie.
Runner-up: Sal’s Pizza Kitchen, 501 D.W. Highway, Merrimack, 424-3000

Best Ribs
Smokey Bones BBQ & Grill, 431 Middlesex Rd., Tyngsborough, Mass., 978-649-5410
OK, OK, we said no chains but you guys picked Smokey Bones and nothing else so… Smokey Bones BBQ & Grill is just over the line in Tyngsborough and offers baby back or smoked St. Louis-style ribs as well as other barbecue-style dishes, burgers and steaks.

Best Mexican/Latin American Restaurant
La Carreta, 139 D.W. Highway, 891-0055
Get a taste of cuisine south of the border (no, not the Mass. border) at this friendly, family eatery. The food varies from the basics (burritos, quesadillas) to more interesting moles and seafood dishes. And then, of course, you have those terrifically tasty margaritas and daiquiris.
Runner-up: La Hacienda del Rio, 4 Taggart Dr., 888-3353

Best Asian Restaurant
Lilac Blossom, 385 E. Dunstable, 888-9588; 650 Amherst St., 886-8420
Upscale Chinese food — real tablecloths and cloth napkins tell you this isn’t the local takeout joint (though they do to-go too) — makes this eatery with two Nashua locations a regional favorite. Dishes worth a taste include the sliced chicken with spicy tea sauce and the pineapple shrimp.
Runner-up: Chen Yang Li, 337 Amherst St., 883-6800

Best Sandwich
Big Poppy at Nashua Garden, 121 Main St., 886-7363
Turkey, pepperoni and Muenster cheese and then it’s all warmed up — yep, that sounds like the perfect sandwich.
Runner-up: The Jose at Seedling Café, 9 Water St., 594-4002.

Best Grilled Cheese
Jackie’s Diner, 168 Main St., 889-4957
When you think of a no-nonsense diner grilled cheese, that melty, slightly salty bit of comfort food heaven that you are dreaming of is exactly what they serve at Jackie’s. Add a tomato to this toasty-on-the-outside, oh-so-cheesy-on-the-inside sandwich and you have the absolutely perfect food.
Runner-up: Roland’s Restaurant, 94 Kinsley St., 882-1441

Best Menu Item
The Jose at Seedling Café, 9 Water St., 594-4002
Black beans, corn, pepperjack cheese, salsa and other delicious ingredients all wrapped in a tortilla — The Jose is more often than not the go-to wrap of first-time Seedling customers and the old favorite of longtime fans. The wrap is the perfect lunch dish as it provides plenty of satisfying flavor and heft without making you feel weighed down.
Runner-up: The Judy at Seedling Café

Best Desserts
Patisserie Bleu, 215 Main St., 886-0007
The desserts of Patisserie Bleu are so beautiful and decadent that they can almost make you cry. Impossibly pretty fruit tarts blend sweetness and tartness and offer flavors that all but explode in your mouth. One bite of chocolate insanity cake or chocolate ginger decadence leaves you feeling intoxicated by all that smoky richness. And the cheesecakes… Chef Jacqui Pressenger is so expert at creating desserts to die for that she even offers classes to help spread her knowledge to her legion of fans.
Runner-up: Michael Timothy’s, 212 Main St., 595-9334

Best Wine List
Michael Timothy’s, 212 Main St., 595-9334
French, Italian, Spanish, South American, Australian, New Zealand, South African — you name it, they’ve got it. The sizeable list offers not just the merlots and chardonnays and shiraz that make up the bulk of most wine lists but also malbecs, tempranillos, sauvignon blancs and a variety of delightful blends. Michael Timothy’s also offers a handful of half-bottles and several “oddballs and rarities.”
Runner-up: Del Vaudo’s, 112 W. Pearl St., 598-8007

Best Cocktails
Manhattan on Pearl, 70 E. Pearl St., 578-5557
From the restaurant’s ambience to the drinks that go in the oh-so-elegant glasses, Manhattan on Pearl doesn’t just serve up top-notch cocktails, it serves up the cocktail experience. You can’t help but feel like a sophisticate when you sit at the bar and sip one of the ’tinis or cosmos from the eatery’s (yes, they have food) large drink menu.
Runner-up: Del Vaudo’s, 112 W. Pearl St., 598-8007

Best Beer Selection
Martha’s Exchange Restaurant and Brewing Co., 185 Main St., 883-8781
Even with the new entries to Nashua’s pub scene, Martha’s Exchange continues to be a local favorite. Brewed on site, the beer offerings change with the season, giving you plenty of reason to go back again and again.
Runner-up: (Tie) Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535, and Nashua Garden, 121 Main St., 886-736

Best New Eatery
Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535
Peddler’s Daughter has given Main Street another music venue, pub fans another place to grab a pint and hang out with friends, gourmands some tasty eats and the very best ketchup ever and Nashua another reason to be proud of its downtown. We all watched Peddler’s progress from the old home of Goodale’s bike shop to a sleek but still comfy new eatery and nightspot. The wait seemed long but it was clearly worth it.
Runner-up: Seedling Café, 9 Water St., 594-4002

Best Restaurant Overall
Michael Timothy’s, 212 Main St., 595-9334
Why does Michael Timothy’s have such a great reputation? We quote from their menu: “grilled quail spring rolls with jalapeño dipping sauce”; “Caribbean bouillabaisse,” which features seafood seared with chili pepper, garlic and lime in a saffron vegetable broth; “Moroccan stuffed eggplant stuffed with hummus and goat cheese, over garlic-green vegetable couscous with almond-smoked tomato pesto,” and “carmalized onion and crispy bacon” wood-grilled pizza with duck confit and a maple soy reduction. The finest foods put together with skill and creativity make this restaurant a constant local favorite.
Runner-up: Del Vaudo’s, 112 W. Pearl St., 598-8007

ART
Best Public Art
Nashua Library, 2 Court St., 589-4600
A rotating pantheon of artists makes the library the place to check out. (Har!) The gallery is downstairs, just outside the media wing. Then borrow a pass to the museum of your choice.
Runner-up: Lady in Rain with Umbrella

Best Art Gallery
Gallery One at the Mill House, 5 Pine St. Ext., 883-0603
It’s big. It’s wide open. It has lots of local art that you can buy for much-less-than-outrageous prices. Awesome.
Runner-up: Bilancia Gallery & Framing, 85 W. Pearl St., 881-5500

PEOPLE
Best Hair Stylist
April at Salon Apryl, 27 Elm St., 886-5701.
Colleen at Cassandra’s Salon & Spa, 225 DW Highway, 888-3300.
Jeff at Xanadu, 139 DW Highway, 897-0676.
Sky at Cassandra’s Salon & Spa, 225 DW Highway, 888-3300.
A four-way tie? With none of the winners employed at the best barbershop? This can only mean one thing: Nashua is the stylish hair capital of the world. It’s true — when was the last time you saw a mullet at the mall or a moptop at the market?

Hottest Bartender
Peggy McFarland, Del Vaudo’s, 112 West Pearl St.
As winner of both the best bartender and hottest bartender categories, McFarland can take pride in the fact that she not only serves drinks like a pro, she looks mighty fine doing it. Regulars come in for her espresso, chocolate, lemon drop and flirtini martinis, as well as her cosmopolitan.
“I make the best cosmo,” she said.
Runner-up: Alexa, Peddler’s Daughter

Best Live DJ
Big Don Entertainment
OK, we give up. Who is Big Don? Are you out there? Write us, we want to meet you!
Runner-up: Gary Roberts, Roberts Music Service

Best Local Radio Host
Sarah Sullivan, Frank 106.3 FM
She’s your mid-morning host at Frank FM (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and, Nashua, you voted her number one. The only question is, don’t any of you work? Or are you all dazing off at your desks, listening to Sullivan do her thing? She’s a professional, no doubt, having started her radio career back in 1989. Sullivan loves The Beatles, but if you ask her what her favorite song is, you might be surprised at her answer. It isn’t one of the many classic rock gems she feeds your hungry ears on a daily basis. It’s (drum roll please) “Somewhere over the Rainbow.” Excuse me?
Runner-up: Mike Morin, WZID 95.7 FM

Best Local Cover Band/ Performer
The Bulkheads, www.bulkheadsrock.com
Allman Brothers, The Doors, Stevie Ray Vaughan … that’s a list anybody should be able to get behind. The Bulkheads schedule a few shows a month, keeping neither overexposed nor toiling in obscurity. Plus, they have a big ol’ link to the Hippo on their Web site. Catch their St. Patty’s Day show on Friday, March 17, at that most Irish of restaurants, Nan King, Route 111, Hudson.
Runner-up: Tracilynne

CITY LIFE
Best Park
Greeley Park, Concord Street
In addition to best park honors, Greeley was voted best place to take your kids, best breakup spot and second-best makeout spot. The simple lesson here? Greeley is great for all stages of a relationship. Just met? Do a little necking (but save the heavy stuff for the winner, “home”). Got rugrats? Let ’em loose on the swing set or band shell. Need some space? Ditch your S.O. in the great outdoors.
Runner-up: Mine Falls Park

Best Breakup Spot
Greeley Park, Concord Street
I suppose it makes sense — you’re breaking someone’s heart, you might as well do it in the fresh air, where they have lots of beautiful scenery. Also, this way, should you need to run, there are plenty of places to hide. Runner-up: (Tie) Martha’s Exchange, Penuche’s Ale House, Pheasant Lane Mall

Best salon/barbershop
Chuck’s Barber Shop, 168 Main St., Nashua, 882-3711
No fewer than three old-timey barber poles grace the front of this building, so you know you’re in for either a great haircut or a fun trip through a carnival house of optical illusions.
Runner-up: Cassandra’s Salon & Spa, 225 DW Highway, 888-3300.

Best Place to Take Your Kids
Greeley Park, Concord Street
Any place where kids can run around without dirtying up something that you have to clean is great. Greeley has the added benefit of a playground and, during the summer, it is the home to many of the city’s recreational programs.
Runner-up: Fun World, 200 D.W. Highway, 888-1940

Best Laundromat
Palmer’s Cleaners, 300 Main St.
You don’t need a pocket-dragging load of quarters here. Just put funds onto a reloadable plastic card and you’re good to go. It’s a touch confusing at first, but once you know the deal, the wow factor takes over quite nicely. Plus a TV and Rivier eye candy.
Runner-up: Paul’s Cleaners, 493 Amherst St., 880-7631

Best Place to Take Visiting Relatives
Budweiser Brewery, 221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack
See how beer is made and taste the final product. It’s all free (though gift shop purchases won’t be turned away). 1-3 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month is Clydesdale Camera Day, when you can take a picture with the horsies. Go on the right weekend in summer and you can catch Ribfest, too.
Runner-up: Downtown

Best Place to Take Your Kids on a Rainy Day
Cinemagic Theater, 11 Executive Park Dr, Merrimack
There’s no movie theater in Nashua. Just up the road, though, is this 12-screen megaplex with stadium seating and digital sound. Rockin’. If only they showed more than two previews...
Runner-up: Nashua Library, 2 Court St., 589-4600

Best Makeout Spot
Home
Greeley Park made a strong showing here, but “home” or “in my bed” was the clear favorite. Advantages: control of lighting and weather. Disadvantages: little chance of partners appearing spontaneously.
Runner-up: Greeley Park, Concord Street

Best Non-Mall Place to Shop
Downtown
Main Street and surrounding avenues certainly do hold a wide array of shopping spots, with many offering completely impractical and expensive purchasing options. Whether you’re fantasizing about a new living room set or hunting down the perfect engagement ring, there’s a place for you.
Runner-up: Building #19, 420 Amherst St., 880-0119

Best Gym
Nashua Athletic Club, 596 West Hollis St., 889-5520
No giant corporate sales pressure, but there are racquetball courts and 50 aerobics classes, and it’s on the way to the dump. Even a doggone sports bar in front to relax after a tough workout. Man, there’s no end to this coolness.
Runner-up: Merrimack YMCA, 6 Henry Clay Dr., Merrimack, 881-7778

Best Community Event
Holiday Stroll
When a quarter of the city’s population turns out for one event every year, it’s almost impossible to imagine any other event winning this prize. After wandering up Main Street hokily singing Christmas carols together, attendees can visit dozens of performances, art displays and food samplings.
Runner-up: Taste of Nashua

Best Date Place
Michael Timothy’s, 212 Main St., 595-9334
With its wine bar, its jazz nights and its expertly prepared foods, Michael Timothy’s is the place to go when you want to woo. After polishing off the white chocolate crème brulee, how could your date not find you irresistible?
Runner-up: Del Vaudo’s, 112 W. Pearl St., 598-8007

Best Pick-Up Place
Margarita’s, 1 Nashua Dr., 883-0996
Could the tequila consumption be making it easier for patrons to mingle here? This Mexican restaurant and lounge in a converted power company building on the Nashua River is decorated from top to bottom with Mexican tiles, art and more. They serve lots of margaritas, from the classic to flavored. The lounge is open until 1 a.m., which might also contribute to ease of pick-up for those trying not to go home alone at the end of the night.
Runner-up: (Tie) Martha’s Exchange, 185 Main St., 883-8781, and Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535

Best Local Radio Station
Frank FM, 106.3 FM
Nashua sure loves classic rock, and Frank FM is all about the classics. Despite physically being based in Manchester, Frank FM does its part as a contributing member of the Nashua community. The Frank-mobile can be seen all over Nashua, and a page on their Web site is dedicated to keeping Nashua folks up to date on what’s happening in the philanthropic hood – from giving blood at a blood drive or learning how you can volunteer for a 24-hour crisis line. But yes, in the end it’s all about the music and Frank FM has plenty of it – Steve Miller Band, The Eagles, ZZ Top and more.
Runner-up: WZID

Best Place to Go After Last Call
Home
Guess Nashua’s just a call-it-a-night-by-around-1 a.m. crowd. On the other hand, if you’ve got a pair of Doc Martens, a pack of clove cigarettes to share with your 12 friends in the parking lot and a yen for spicy fries and key lime pie, head to the runner-up location.
Runner-up: Denny’s, 103 Nashua Mall, 883-6165

CITY LIFE
Best Place to Be Seen
Boston Billiard Club, 55 Northeastern Blvd., 595-2121
Despite being in a world of its own (it is not located downtown nor near Pheasant Lane Mall) Boston Billiard Club has earned itself a reputation as the place to be. It offers a little for everyone – a bar with space to lounge, a café area that offers munchies until 12:30 a.m., a cozy nook meant to look like a “gentlemen’s library” and pool tables as far as the eye can see. Also, televisions. There’s lots of dark wood, warm colors, leather couches and soft lighting. Ample parking is a bonus, especially since you have to drive to get there, and the interior is just as spacious. When it’s nice out, you can be seen sitting on the patio, drinking your life away in style while all the health freaks burn their calories at the neighboring gym – the fools! The club also features DJs and live music, namely The Zoo, and you can take free pool lessons Mondays at 7:30 p.m.
Runner-up: Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535  

Best Place to Play Pool
Boston Billiard Club, 55 Northeastern Blvd., 595-2121
If you have the word “billiard” in your name, you better be a good place to shoot some pool. Luckily Boston Billiard Club lives up to its expectations. They don’t have one table, two tables, three tables or four. They have 32, yup, 32 pool tables, and plenty of space for everyone to play at the same time without accidentally jabbing someone else in the stomach or other sensitive areas with a cue stick. But it isn’t just about the numbers. Boston Billiard Club takes good care of their tables and pool players don’t have to feel like they’re taken out of the action when they hit the tables – the open-style rooms keep them feeling like part of the crowd without cramping their style.
Runner-up: Cattleman’s, 14 Railroad Sq., 880-6001

Best Sports Bar
Nashua Garden, 121 Main St, 886-7363
Rather than assaulting customers with 50 TVs tuned to every sports channel imaginable, Nashua Garden is a shrine to the glorious victories of athletes past. Its walls are covered with photos and memorabilia from decades of Boston and New England pro teams, and even local Nashua High School contenders. Of course, there are TVs, in reasonable sizes, showing sports. They also make some tasty sandwiches and have a great beer selection.
Runner-up: Cattleman’s, 14 Railroad Sq., 880-6001

Best Dance Club
Martha’s Exchange, 185 Main St., 883-8781
This longtime downtown staple is restaurant by day, steamy dance club by night. It’s not only a chocolatier, function hall, and favorite among the senior diners, but does double duty as dance floor with DJ on the weekends for patrons who are about 60 years younger than the early birds. It’s a good thing, because the list of places to dance in Nashua is pretty short.
Runner-up: Slades, 4 West Hollis St., 886-1334

Best Bar for Live Music
Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535
Also a runner-up for best pick-up place, the Peddler’s Daughter opened this year as if a spaceship had beamed down an Irish pub, complete with Irish street signs, an affection for bagpipers, and a drink menu that includes Guinness, of course, but also Boddington’s and Magners. The food is Irish fare and the building now has a balcony walkway adjacent to the Main Street bridge over the Nashua River. There’s live music here every weekend.
Runner-up: Del Vaudo’s, 112 West Pearl St., 598-8007  

Best Pub
The Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St., 821-7535
The Peddler’s Daughter is the new kid on the block in downtown Nashua, and the bar is making waves. It’s got everything going for it. Its location is fantastic – downtown and overlooking the Nashua River. It has great food, a great beer selection (well, it’s an Irish pub, what do you expect?) and live music. Not to mention The Peddler’s Daughter tries to go above and beyond the typical bar duties whenever it can – case in point, the bar hosted a Rose of Tralee contest (a worldwide contest) and hosts a weekly trivia night.
Runner-up: Nashua Garden, 121 Main St., 886-7363

Comments? Thoughts? Discuss this article and more at hippoflea.com